Edward Campbell (politician)

Edward Campbell (1888 – 1943) ran a grain importing business on Jersey during the Second World War, before becoming a politician in the 1940 Jersey local elections. The post was abolished shortly after in 1942, and Campbell returned to his business with a "broken heart". Though he received a majority of 70% in the election, standing against Thomas Jenkins, his popularity with the public soon waned, and he was accused of being a collaborator with the Nazis by some. Shortly before his death he stated that he "only wanted the best for the island. They've got to remember that".^[1]

Early life

Campbell often stated that he "had to bring myself up", and took a "dim view of scroungers, society cheats, and sympathisers". His mother died when he was a child,^[2] and his father was an alcoholic, Campbell found it "a little ironic that the leader under the Nazis had a dead mother and an asocial for a father".^[3] He grew apart from his brother, a member of Special Operations Executive (unknownst to Edward) Benjamin Campbell. Benjamin died before Edward of unestablished cause. Despite the gap between the brothers, Benjamin was still concerned when Edward won the Jersey election, 1940.^[4]

Career

Campbell founded a grain importation company on the island which found moderate success, rationing was both a blessing and a curse-it prohibited his business but it meant that people were desperate for "anything they could get their hands on, legally or illegally".^[5]

Campbell stood as a candidate at the 1940 Jersey local elections for several reasons. He reportedly stated to the Nazis that he wanted power, and was willing to follow whatever they ordered to retain that power. However, privately he is recorded as stating that he wanted to aid the people, and would put up with the view of many of the islanders that he was a collaborator to help those in need, as both his parents had been. He won a majority of over 70%, as a motivator for candidates, the Nazis promised the victor would be able to reside at Saint Ouen's Manor. Though Campbell was initially motivated by the idea, he became disillusioned with it before he took office, and declined the offer. However, public opinion of him plummeted after it emerged he had had an affair with a German lady in the early 1930s, and the accusations that he was a collaborator became more prominent.^[5]

The Nazis dropped his post in 1942, after rumours were heard that Campbell would be assassinated if he remained in office, the Nazis felt that Campbell's usefulness had now gone, he was now an "enemy of his own people". Campbell attempted to restart his grain business, but all his attempts to rejuvenate the company were blocked by the Nazis. As such, Campbell's money soon ran out, and he died alone and penniless on the streets of Jersey in 1943. He wrote a letter addressed to "the people of Jersey" immediately before his death, which claimed until the last he had wanted the best for the islanders. It closed with the words "I have tried, God knows I have tried". He had no family, reportedly for the reason that he didn't want to let anyone else down as he had been let down by his parents, and as he had let down the islanders.^[5]

Trivia

• Campbell was the oldest candidate in teh election
• Campbell stated that "though today the Nazis rule here, they do not command, for to command a people, you must first speak to their hearts"
• Noone dared openly dislike him as he was a public face of the Nazis on Jersey

References